> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://help.blings.io/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://help.blings.io/docs/plans-pricing/video-views-understanding-your-free-views-allowance.md).

# Video Views: Understanding Your Free Views Allowance

#### What counts as a view?

A **view** is counted each time a recipient watches your personalized video. It doesn't matter how the video was delivered. What matters is whether someone actually played it.

#### Free views on the Free plan

Free plan accounts include **500 free views per month.**

#### How the allowance works in practice

Here's a realistic example based on industry benchmarks:

| Step                                    | Number  |
| --------------------------------------- | ------- |
| Emails sent                             | 20,000  |
| Recipients who clicked the email CTA    | 600     |
| Recipients who watched the video        | 500     |
| **Views counted toward your allowance** | **500** |

The video doesn't play inside the email. When a recipient clicks the CTA, they're taken to a page where the personalized video loads, just like a regular landing page, but with their video instead.

Not everyone who clicks will watch. Some recipients may close the tab before the video loads. In this example, 500 out of 600 clickers actually played the video, a realistic drop-off to account for in your planning.

> **Key insight:** Your view count is driven by your audience's engagement, not by how many emails you send. A highly engaged list will consume your free views faster than a large but less engaged one.

#### Your allowance is shared across all campaigns

The 500 monthly free views apply to your entire account, not to individual campaigns. Whether you run one campaign or ten, all video plays count toward the same pool.

For example, if you run three campaigns in a month and they generate 200, 200, and 150 views respectively, you've used all 500 free views, even though no single campaign hit the allowance on its own.

#### What happens when you exceed your allowance?

Nothing breaks. Your recipients can still watch their videos without any interruption. The only difference is that videos will open with a short Blings-branded label at the start. Everything else, personalization, interactivity, playback, works exactly as normal.

#### When does the allowance reset?

Your free views count resets on your billing cycle date each month.

One thing worth knowing: email engagement is front-loaded. Most clicks and video plays happen within the first hours or days after a campaign goes out. So if you're approaching your allowance, you'll likely see the impact right after sending. You won't have to wait weeks to understand where you stand.

#### Tips for managing your free views

**Segment before you send.** Target your most engaged contacts first, those most likely to click and watch. This helps you get the most value from your free views allowance.

**Monitor your usage.** Keep an eye on your view count in the dashboard before launching large campaigns.

**Plan for high-engagement sends.** With a 3% CTR and typical drop-off rates, 20,000 emails can consume your entire monthly allowance in a single campaign. If you're running multiple campaigns in the same month, factor in the combined view count.

#### On the Business plan?

The Business plan works differently. It includes 1,000 free views per month, with additional views available beyond that. [See how views work on the Business plan →](https://app.notion.com/p/Gitbook-500-views-article-2efe6055dab580e88e6feab80c7d0dd4#)


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